Electrical connecting device for component wiring panels

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a wiring system for machine wiring of appliances wherein the appliance components are easily serviceable and removed with a minimum of wire disconnection. The disclosure further relates to a terminating device comprising a slug or wedge having locking ears therein and an inward bevel from all four sides at the end thereof abutting a wire, the terminal having a cut out for receiving the locking ears to provide a friction as well as a locking connection.

United States Patent [1 1 Merry et al.

[ Nov. 13, 1973 ELECTRICAL CONNECTING DEVICE FOR COMPONENT WIRING PANELS [75] Inventors: Roydon William Merry, Harrisburg,

Pa.; Stuart L. Parsons, Clearwater, Fla.; Charles Edward Reynolds, Camp Hill, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. 7'

[22] Filed: Nov. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 310,032

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 152,314, June 11, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 317/99, 338/128, 317/118, 339/97 R, 339/126 R [51] Int. Cl. H02b l/04 [58] Field of Search 317/99, 101 C, 101 CC,

317/101 D, 101 CF, 101 CE, 118, 120, 122; 339/97, 97 C, 97 L, 97 R, 97 P, 98, 99 R, 125 R, 126 R, 206-208, 210, 262; 338/128, 197

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,609,648 9/1971 Stratford 338/128 3,660,728 5/1972 Caner 317/101 CC 2,587,239 2/1952 Smith 339/98 3,350,679 10/1967 Marley 339/223 Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-Gerald P. Tolin Attarney-William J. Keating et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT The disclosure relates to a wiring system for machine wiring of appliances wherein the appliance components are easily serviceable and removed with a minimum of wire disconnection. The disclosure further relates to a terminating device comprising a slug or wedge having locking ears therein and an inward bevel from all four sides at the end thereof abutting a wire, the terminal having a cut out for receiving the locking ears to provide a friction as well as a locking connection.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED IIUY l3 I973 HELP (3 SHE air/2.511

PATENTEUNUV 13 1975 SHEET U [IF 6 PATENTEI] now I 3 I975 3.772.571 SHEET 50F 6 ELECTRICAL CONNECTING DEVICE FOR COMPONENT WIRING PANELS This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 152,314, filed June 11, 1971, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a wiring system for automatic wiring of an appliance and a terminating device preferably for use therein.

Appliances and particularly those having predefined controlled cycles of operation have been well known in the art. One such appliance is the automatic washing machine wherein initial control settings permit a complete washing operation with predefined characteristics. In such prior art washing machines, predetermined knob settings have determined length of washing and- /or drying cycles, water temperatures, spinning speeds, water level, agitation rates and the like. Complex controls for such appliances which are mounted within the appliances are subject to normal breakdown and hence require repair by skilled and costly repairmen. The cost of repair is increased due to the relative difficulty in loeating and removing faulty parts due to wiring and solder connection and the like of components. Removal of components has required the difficult removal of wires attached to each part as well as subsequent reconnection with the extra skill required to be sure of correct reconnection.

In accordance with the present invention, the abovenoted problems of the prior art are substantially minimized wherein a control panel for an appliance is provided which is easily and automatically produced and easily serviceable by personnel requiring less skill than required for service of prior art appliances. Also there is provided novel terminating means for use in the wiring system of the present invention.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a cut out panel is provided wherein housings having terminations therein are automatically positioned in predetermined ones of the cut out regions of the panel at a first station. At a second station, wire is positioned on the panel along a predetermined path and over the housings by means of well known x y wiring machines which are preprogrammed, the second station also having a driving device to drive a wedge against the wires passing over the housing to provide an electrical termination at each such housing. Also, a termination is provided wherein a wedge is driven against the wire to drive the wire into the housing to break the wire insulation to provide an electrical connection with a terminal in the housing. The wedge has locking ears for locking with the terminal as well as an inward bevel on all four sides thereof at the end abutting the wire. By the above wiring system, especially as simplified by use of the new termination, the control elements can be mounted on the side of the panel opposite the wiring with a pair of bolts or the like for easy removal, electrical connection being made with the terminal by means of tabs which knife down onto the terminal.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a wiring system for appliances and the like which provides a simple automatic wiring operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a wiring system for appliances and the like whereby components are easily disconnected and removed from the panel.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a terminating device capable of simultaneous wire stripping and secure termination.

It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a terminating device for providing termination by combined locking and friction fit.

The above objects and still further objects of the invention will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art after consideration of the following prefrred embodiment thereof which is provided by way of example and not by way of limitation, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wiring and terminating station in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view partly broken away of an appliance with a wired panel positioned therein;

FIG. 3 is a view of the wired side of a panel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of the component carrying side of a panel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned view of a portion of a completed panel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a terminating device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the device of FIG. 6 in assembled condition;

FIG. 8 is a view of the components forming a termination in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section showing a first step in the formation of a termination;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section showing a completed termination;

FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional view of a completed termination; and

FIG. 12 is a simulated progression showing the wiring of a panel in accordance with the present invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a table I having a panel 3 mounted on a slidable member 5. The panel 3 has apertures cut therein, some of said apertures receiving housings 7 which are placed in selected apertures by a well known programmed device at a station upstream from the station shown in FIG. 1. When the panel 3 is moved to the station shown in FIG. 1, the head 9 performs wiring according to a programmed x y pattern in a manner known in the art, a followup device in head 9 terminating the wire 11 in selected housings 7 according to the program while the wiring is taking place.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an appliance 13 in the form of a washing machine having the completely wired panel 3 shown partly broken away with components 15 mounted thereon. As will be explained in more detail, the components 15 are readily accessible to a Serviceman merely by removing the front cover 17 of the appliance 13. The components on the panel 3 can be connected to other controllable devices by means of a single electrical connector plug and cable 19, thereby making removal and installation of a single component or the entire panelrelatively simple.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, there is shown the front of the panel 3 including housings 7 secured therein and components 15 secured to the panel 3 by means of screws 18, the components 15 being electrically connected to terminals in the housings 7 by means of tabs 4 which knife into slots in said housings. This allows components 15 to be removed by merely unscrewing the screws 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown the rear of the panel 3 with manual control members 23, the housings 7 and wires 11 extending over the surface of the panel and making electrical connection to terminals within the housings 7 in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an exploded view of the housing 7 but in two sections with an electrical terminal 25 and a wedge 27. The housing 7 is preferably of plastic and includes a cut out region 29 for receiving the terminal 25 therein. The housing 7 includes a flange 31 and a finger 33 for locking into a panel upon insertion. The terminal 25 and a pair of spring members 35 and 37 which are biased to abut each other and extend outwardly at their outer region for receiving tabs in order to make electrical connection. It will be noted that the interior wall portions 39 and 41 of the housing 7 are spaced from each other to allow entry of a tab between members 35 and 37. The

upper portion of the terminal 25 a hollow portion 43 in the shape of a rectangle. The outer region of the portion 43 includes a pair of notches 45 for receiving a wire thereon and a pair of lances 47 for receiving a pair of cars 49 on the wedge 27 to provide a locking engagement therewith. The wedge 27 is a solid member preferably of electrically conductive material and includes inwardly bevelled regions 51 at the bottoms of the sides 53 and 55 and an inwardly bevelled region 57 at its inner surface. Also provided is a bevelled region 59 having a flat bottom region. The shape of the bevelled region 59 is to prevent breaking of wires during making of the termination, hence the flat bottom region rather than a sharp bottom. The bevel provides a tapered pressure gradient so that all stress is not at the corners. The remaining bevels on the legs of the wedge are for the purpose of gathering the wire so that it does not slide off the edge of the wedge 27.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9 the housing 7 with terminal therein is located in aperture 61 of panel 3. A wire 11 then passes through the notches 45 of the housing 7 and terminal portion 43 whereupon the wedge 27 is driven downwardly against the wire 11 to break the wire insulation to provide electrical connection between the terminal in the housing 7, the wire 1 l and the wedge 27 as shown in FIG. 10. The wedge 27 is locked into the cut out 47 of the terminal 25 (FIG. 6) by means of locking cars 49 as well as by the friction fit caused by the insertion of wedge 27 and wire 11 into housing 7, as shown in FIG. 11.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown a simulated progression of the wiring operation. From the left, a housing 7 is placed in the panel 3 (l) and (2) whereupon the wire 11 is passed through the notches of housing 7 and a wedge 27 is prepared for insertion over the wire 11 and into housing 7 (3). The wedge 27 is then inserted as shown at (4). A single wire 11 can be connected at plural points therealong to different terminals in different housings in a manner called daisy chaining." Such an arrangement is shown at (4).

It can be seen from the above that there are provided both a simple and inexpensive wiring method as well as an easily serviced appliance and a novel termination-for same.

Though the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, many variations and modifications will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:

1. Control panel means for an appliance such as a washing machine, said control panel means comprising:

a first panel constituting a wiring and component mounting panel,

a second panel constituting a control panel, said first and second panels being in parallel spaced-apart relationship, said panels having first sides which face each other and second sides which face in opposite directions,

a plurality of electrical connecting devices mounted in said second panel, each of said connecting devices comprising an insulating housing having a cavity extending therethrough normally of the plane of said second panel, a double-ended terminal device mounted in said cavity, said terminal device having a conductor connecting means on the one end thereof which is on said first side of said second panel and having contact means for disengageable coupling to a complementary contact means on the second end thereof which is on said second side of said second panel,

interconnecting conductors located between said first sides of said panels, said conductors extending between said connecting means of said terminal devices and selectively interconnecting said terminal devices,

a plurality of control components removably secured to said second side of said second panel, said control components each having complementary contact means extending therefrom parallel to the plane of said second panel, said complementary contact means being coupled to said contact means of said terminal devices thereby to interconnect said control components, and

manual control members extending from said control components normally of and through said second and first panels to permit setting of said control components from said second side of said first panel.

2. Control panel means as set forth in claim 1, each of said contact means comprising a resilient receptacle, each of said complementary contact means comprising a contact blade.

3. Control panel means as set forth in claim 1, said interconnecting conductors comprising individual round wires.

4. Control panel means as set forth in claim 1, each of said contact means comprising a resilient receptacle, each of said complementary contact means comprising a contact blade, said interconnecting conductors comprising individual round wires.

5. Control panel means as set forth in claim-4, each of said insulating housings comprising two sections, said sections being against each other along a parting line extending normally of said second panel.

6. Control panel means as set forth in claim 5, said cavity in each of said housings having an enlarged portion intermediate its ends, said terminal in each of said housings having laterally projecting intermediate portions, said intermediate portions of each terminal extending into said enlarged portion of its housing.

7. Control panel means as set forth in claim 6, said conductor connecting means on said one end of each of ,said terminals comprising a rigid receptacle coaxially disposed in its respective housing, said wires ex- .tending into and from said rigid receptacles, and wedge members fitted within said receptacles, said wedge members maintaining said wires against, and in electrical contact with, said rigid receptacles.

l wk 

1. Control panel means for an appliance such as a washing machine, said control panel means comprising: a first panel constituting a wiring and component mounting panel, a second panel constituting a control panel, said first and second panels being in parallel spaced-apart relationship, said panels having first sides which face each other and second sides which face in opposite directions, a plurality of electrical connecting devices mounted in said second panEl, each of said connecting devices comprising an insulating housing having a cavity extending therethrough normally of the plane of said second panel, a double-ended terminal device mounted in said cavity, said terminal device having a conductor connecting means on the one end thereof which is on said first side of said second panel and having contact means for disengageable coupling to a complementary contact means on the second end thereof which is on said second side of said second panel, interconnecting conductors located between said first sides of said panels, said conductors extending between said connecting means of said terminal devices and selectively interconnecting said terminal devices, a plurality of control components removably secured to said second side of said second panel, said control components each having complementary contact means extending therefrom parallel to the plane of said second panel, said complementary contact means being coupled to said contact means of said terminal devices thereby to interconnect said control components, and manual control members extending from said control components normally of and through said second and first panels to permit setting of said control components from said second side of said first panel.
 2. Control panel means as set forth in claim 1, each of said contact means comprising a resilient receptacle, each of said complementary contact means comprising a contact blade.
 3. Control panel means as set forth in claim 1, said interconnecting conductors comprising individual round wires.
 4. Control panel means as set forth in claim 1, each of said contact means comprising a resilient receptacle, each of said complementary contact means comprising a contact blade, said interconnecting conductors comprising individual round wires.
 5. Control panel means as set forth in claim 4, each of said insulating housings comprising two sections, said sections being against each other along a parting line extending normally of said second panel.
 6. Control panel means as set forth in claim 5, said cavity in each of said housings having an enlarged portion intermediate its ends, said terminal in each of said housings having laterally projecting intermediate portions, said intermediate portions of each terminal extending into said enlarged portion of its housing.
 7. Control panel means as set forth in claim 6, said conductor connecting means on said one end of each of said terminals comprising a rigid receptacle co-axially disposed in its respective housing, said wires extending into and from said rigid receptacles, and wedge members fitted within said receptacles, said wedge members maintaining said wires against, and in electrical contact with, said rigid receptacles. 